BCS Championship 2013: National Title Game Will Not Live Up to Tremendous Hype

The immense hype surrounding the 2013 BCS Championship Game between Notre Dame and Alabama will not allow it to be an instant classic.

No matter how much history and anticipation there will be leading up to Monday night’s clash, people are going to walk away disappointed.

Sure, Notre Dame could score the “upset” and win its first national title since 1988 and first ever BCS crown.

But will it live up the massive hype that people are putting on the title bout?

This bowl season, with exception to Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M’s thumping of Oklahoma, has largely been a disappointment. College football and the fans are counting on this game to save the season and the status quo by providing an exciting conclusion to the year.

The dwindling BCS is also sitting tenuously with its final breath, remembering last season's disappointment.

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LSU forgot to show up last season when tasked with besting the Crimson Tide in the title game.

Alabama kicked five field goals and blanked LSU in the 2012 championship game, winning by a 21-0 final score. That final margin isn’t indicative of how inept the Tigers were.

They managed just 92 yards of total offense in that contest.

Viewers agreed, too.

The game posted the third-worst TV rating in the 14-year history of the BCS, according to Jon Solomon of AL.com.

Is that the type of finish that will please the masses after the buildup for this game has tantalized them with visions of “old-school” football and traditional dominance?

Would Alabama rolling easily over the Irish appease the millions of Irish faithful or even the Crimson Tide fanbase?

Winning doesn’t get old. But would a third title in four seasons be as exciting as the first two, especially in easy fashion?

The only way for this game to not disappoint would be an average-scoring affair that ends in multiple overtimes with each team trading blows back and forth.

Notre Dame has to win, too, for it to truly reach its potential. The only way they do that is in a close and hard-fought game that is predicated on defensive dominance.

Defense may very well determine the outcome of this game. In fact, it’s almost a certainty.

Despite the outbreak of defensive lapses around the country, this is one game that will stay true to its underpinnings.

Alabama and Notre Dame will duel for the right to be called the best in the land. It’s shame that their epic conclusion to the season will likely end largely in disappointment due to the tremendous hype given to the matchup.